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In advance of a recent trip, I had everything neatly packed into a small roller bag plus a backpack. I was quite proud to be so efficient. At the last minute, I started adding things to the pile. First, my favorite tea bags. Then a porcelain mug because tea tastes so much better from a mug than a paper cup. A few snacks. My pillow. I rationalized that I was driving, so, why not? The pile grew. What if it’s cold? I added a warm fleece. And an extra blanket. All of a sudden, I needed a bigger suitcase. And eventually an extra tote!
As the pile grew, I began to question this desire to bring along all the comforts of home. What was going on? On the one hand, most of the choices were practical and useful, and there was plenty of room in the car. On the other hand, I recognized some anxiety, a love of comfort, and a lack of freedom. Was I controlling the packing or was the packing controlling me? And I thought to myself, this is something I should probably talk to God about.
I took a break and asked God for help. As I slowed down and connected, I felt grateful for the upcoming time away, for the beautiful destination, for my traveling companion. I noticed some anxiety about the long drive and what might happen when I arrived. I prayed that our travels would be smooth, that we’d arrive safely, and that our time away would be blessed. Pausing to reflect brought peace and a brighter outlook as I set off on the journey.
I will confess that this did not inspire me to unpack my extras. Eventually, I found that there was an extra blanket in my room, a wide selection of tea available, and some really good cookies (which I would have discovered sooner if I hadn’t brought my own snacks). Looking back, these observations challenge me to let go of control a little more and maybe travel a bit lighter next time, which I realize are great lessons in life and leave me open to God giving gifts greater than I can imagine.
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